alankin

The shows are included with the entrance fee. There's no separate ticket. You could probably eat at the show, as long as you can get a table. They have a cafe set up (at the bottom of the great stairs) with table service and a limited food & drink menu. I'll be there (assuming that the logistics work out).

Frank King – Walt and Skeezix: Book One (Drawn and Quarterly)

I wish I had heard about the Fillmore set before it sold out!!

Some that I'm thinking about are the Dave Ballou (11/11), Eric Alexander (11/18), Ben Monder and/or Joe McPhee (11/25), Stanley Cowell (12/2), Leo Smith (12/3) and the Scorch Trio (12/4). I also may be up for Ortlieb's or Chris' some time if someone else is interested.

Yes, Alan (hi, Alan!), it seems the tour dates may have been juggled around some (and may be juggled some more still). I apologize if I'm in error, but at least at the moment, The Thing's record company's site, www.smalltownsupersound.com/livedates.php, shows the 24th for Philadelphia, 25th for Buffalo, and 26th for Syracuse, while Paal's site, www.paalnilssen-love.com/news.php, shows the 25th for Philadelphia, 26th for Buffalo, and 27th for Syracuse. Anyway, it's best to call the venues, and I'll try to do the same a.s.a.p. to make sure. ← That's good, because I wouldn't have been able to get out on the 24th. I plan to go on the 25th. The Thing featuring Joe McPhee — Joe McPhee, reeds/pocket trumpet Mats Gustafsson, reeds Ingebrigt Håker Flaten, bass Paal Nilssen-Love, drums — an ars nova workshop production — Community Education Center [CEC], 3500 Lancaster Ave, Philadelphia Nov 25 (Fri) — 8 pm — $12

James Ellroy - The Black Dahlia

I thought I'd post some of the more interesting gigs coming up in the next few weeks, some of which I hope to get to -- The Either/Orchestra with guest Mulatu Astatke — Either/Orchestra's new release is: Ethiopiques 20: Live in Addis - 2 CDs (Buda Records ) — World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St, Philadelphia Nov 10 (Thu) — 7:30 pm — $23 Eric Lewis — Philadelphia Museum of Art, Great Stair Hall, BF Parkway & 26th, Philadelphia — 215.763.8100 Nov 11 (Fri) — 5:45-6:45 & 7:15-8:15 pm — $12 (free for members, students $8) Dave Ballou Quartet — Dave Ballou (trumpet), Mat Maneri (violin), Michael Formanek (double bass), Randy Peterson (drums) — an ars nova workshop production — Community Education Center [CEC], 3500 Lancaster Ave, Philadelphia Nov 11 (Fri) — 8 pm — $12 Orrin Evans Quartet — pianist Orrin Evans's newest release is: Easy Now (Criss Cross ) — Ortlieb's Jazzhaus, 3rd & Poplar Sts, Philadelphia Nov 11 (Fri) — 8:45 pm - 1:30 am Mel Bay All Stars: Jimmy Bruno, Vic Juris, Corey Christiansen — Chris' Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom St, Philadelphia Nov 12 (Sat) — 8 pm, 10 pm & midnight — $15 Orrin Evans Quartet — Ortlieb's Jazzhaus, 3rd & Poplar Sts, Philadelphia Nov 12 (Sat) — 8:45 pm - 1:30 am Three Guitars: Larry Coryell, Badi Assad & John Abercrombie — World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St, Philadelphia Nov 13 (Sun) — 7:30 pm — $33 advance / $38 door Rob Mazurek's Mandarin Movie Sao Paolo Underground — Mandarin Movie: Rob Mazurek (computer/Moog/cornet), Alan Licht (guitar), Matthew Lux (bass guitar/electronics), Steve Swell (trombone), Jason Ajemian (double-bass/electronics), Frank Rosaly (drums) — Sao Paolo Underground: Rob Mazurek (cornet/electronics), Mauricio Takara (drums/laptop), Guilherme Granado (samplers/percusion/voice) — an ars nova workshop production — The Five Spot, 5 S Bank St, Philadelphia — 215-574-0070 Nov 13 (Sun) — 8 pm — $12 Charlie Hunter + Bobby Previte = Groundtruther King Britt — Ropeadope and Blue Note Records present 'What is Jazz?' — Groundtruther's new release is Longitude (Thirsty Ear ) — World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St, Philadelphia Nov 17 (Thu) — 6 pm (vintage jazz film) — 7 pm (music) — $15 Ye Ren — Gary Hassey, alto saxophone; William Parker, bass; Toshi Makihara, drums — an ars nova workshop production — The Rotunda, 4014 Walnut Street, Philadelphia Nov 17 (Thu) — 8 pm — Free Mickey Roker Quartet — Ortlieb's Jazzhaus, 3rd & Poplar Sts, Philadelphia Nov 17 (Thu) — 8:30 pm - 12:30 am Eric Alexander — Philadelphia Museum of Art, Great Stair Hall, BF Parkway & 26th, Philadelphia — 215.763.8100 Nov 18 (Fri) — 5:45-6:45 & 7:15-8:15 pm — $12 (free for members, students $8) Warren Oree and the Arpeggio Jazz Ensemble — The Kimmel Center, Commonwealth Plaza, Broad & Spruce Sts, Philadelphia Nov 18 (Fri) — 6 pm — free Christian McBride Band Odean Pope Saxophone Choir with special guest Ravi Coltrane — 3rd Annual Philly All-Star Jazz Night — Christian McBride Band: Christian McBride, electric and acoustic bass; Ron Blake, tenor and soprano saxophone and flute; Geoffrey Keezer, piano; Terreon Gully, drums — Odean Pope Saxophone Choir: Odean Pope, bandleader and saxophone; Julian Pressley, first alto saxophone; Sam Reed, second alto saxophone; Louis Taylor, third alto saxophone; Elliott Levin, first tenor saxophone; Terry Lawson, second tenor saxophone; Seth Meicht, fourth tenor saxophone; Joe Sudler, baritone saxophone; and Tyrone Brown, up-right bass; George Burton, piano; Craig McIver, drums — The Kimmel Center, Verizon Hall, Broad & Spruce Sts, Philadelphia Nov 18 (Fri) — 8 pm — $30/46/59/64/71 (some $10 tix available before show) Clifford Adams — with the Mickey Roker Quartet — Ortlieb's Jazzhaus, 3rd & Poplar Sts, Philadelphia Nov 18 (Fri) — 8:45 pm - 1:30 am George Colligan Quartet featuring Nicholas Payton — Chris' Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom St, Philadelphia Nov 18 (Fri) — 9 pm - 1 am — $15 Benevento/Russo Duo — Theatre of the Living Arts [TLA], 334 South St, Philadelphia Nov 18 (Fri) Ellis Marsalis — New Orleans pianist Ellis is joined by special guest Orrin Evans, for piano duets — "One Nation Under Jazz: New Orleans" — The Kimmel Center, Perelman Theater, Broad & Spruce Sts, Philadelphia Nov 19 (Sat) — 7:30 pm — $36/$41 Meredith Monk Vocal Ensemble — Science Center Theater, Montgomery County Community College, Rte 202 & Morris Rd — 215.641.6518 Nov 19 (Sat) — 8 pm — $20 ($18 senior/students / $10 children under 12) Ben Monder — Philadelphia Museum of Art, Great Stair Hall, BF Parkway & 26th, Philadelphia — 215.763.8100 Nov 25 (Fri) — 5:45-6:45 & 7:15-8:15 pm — $10 (free for members) The Thing featuring Joe McPhee — Joe McPhee, reeds/pocket trumpet Mats Gustafsson, reeds Ingebrigt Håker Flaten, bass Paal Nilssen-Love, drums — an ars nova workshop production — Community Education Center [CEC], 3500 Lancaster Ave, Philadelphia Nov 25 (Fri) — 8 pm — $12 Joey DeFrancesco — Zanzibar Blue, Broad & Walnut Sts, Philadelphia — 215.732.5200 Nov 25 (Fri) — 8 & 10 pm Pat Martino Quartet — Chris' Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom St, Philadelphia Nov 25 (Fri) — 9 pm - 1 am — $25 Joey DeFrancesco — Zanzibar Blue, Broad & Walnut Sts, Philadelphia — 215.732.5200 Nov 26 (Sat) — 8 & 10 pm Pat Martino Quartet — Chris' Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom St, Philadelphia Nov 26 (Sat) — 8 & 10 pm — $25 Stanley Cowell — pianist Cowell performs an original composition inspired by the Museum's Asian art collections — Cowell will be joined by She-e Wu, who plays an ancient Chinese string instrument, and jazz violinist John Blake — Philadelphia Museum of Art, Great Stair Hall, BF Parkway & 26th, Philadelphia — 215.7 Wadada Leo Smith’s Golden Quartet — Wadada Leo Smith, trumpet; Vijay Iyer, piano/Fender Rhodes; John Lindberg, bass; Ronald Shannon Jackson, drums — Ancient to the Future: 40 Years of the AACM — an ars nova workshop and International House Philadelphia production — International House, 3701 Chestnut St, Philadelphia Dec 3 (Sat) — 8 pm — $20 ($15 seniors/IHouse members, $10 students w/ ID) Roy Hargrove — sponsored by the Philadelphia Chamber Music Society — Gershman Hall, Levitt Auditorium, Broad & Pine Sts, Philadelphia — 215.569.8080 Dec 3 (Sat) — 8 pm — $21 ($10 students) Wallace Roney and Geri Allen — Science Center Theater, Montgomery County Community College, Rte 202 & Morris Rd — 215.641.6518 Dec 3 (Sat) — 8 pm — $20 ($18 senior/students / $10 children under 12) Peter Bernstein/Aaron Goldberg Quartet — Chris' Jazz Cafe, 1421 Sansom St, Philadelphia Dec 3 (Sat) — 9 pm - 1 am — $15 Scorch Trio [bjorkenheim/Haker Flaten/Nilssen-Love] Wolf Vs. — Scorch Trio: Raoul Björkenheim, el. guitar, Ingebrigt Håker Flaten, double-bass, Paal Nilssen-Love, drums — Wolf Vs.: Dan Scofield, tenor saxophone Jesse Moynihan, el. guitar Evan Lipson, el. bass — an ars nova workshop production — Avant Gentlemen's Club, 4028 Filbert St, Philadelphia Dec 4 (Sun) — 8 pm — $12 phillyjazz.Jazzmatazz.info

Last night was Boston. ← Oops! You're right. I think the Braxton concert bumped me off my position in the space-time continuum.

Actually, I thought there were very few walkouts -- maybe 5% of the audience? I thought the concert was exhilarating. The performance emphasized the ensemble's interaction more than just Braxton's soloing. Seeing the group in performance helped me better understand how Braxton organizes some of his work. The musicians spent a lot of the time working as changing pairs or trios, superimposing different segments. Changes in sub-groups were made by hand signals. There was a lot of variety and a fair amount of humor. Braxton cracked up one or twice. Besides Braxton himself, the playing from Taylor Ho Bynum (trumpet & trombone) and Jay Rozen (tuba) stood out. Rozen got an amazing set of sounds. At one point he played the tuba through a sax mouthpiece. And I was thrilled that Braxton brought his contrabass sax. It made the baritone look like a toy! And yes, the room was too warm and I got a bit weary towards the end. (But then I always hate sitting for that long.) This was the sextet's U.S. premiere. They've been together since the Spring and have played about a dozen gigs in Europe. They're playing in Boston tonight and then will be off until next year. (And the Philly gig is the first with the contrabass sax. They drove it down in a van.)

Hmm, the listing for the Philly gig at http://www.arsnovaworkshop.com/ shows it on Friday, 11/25th.

8pm tonight.

Great concert. I rode down with Ron S. and met Chalupa at intermission. We estimated that attendance was in the range of 350-450. I think the venue usually programs two 45 minute sets with a short intermission. Von's first set was over ninety minutes long -- I don't think he wanted to stop! It was Von's first Philadelphia gig. It was also his first meeting with Philly drummer Mickey Roker. Von was impressed with his playing. I stopped by the autograph line after the concert and mentioned Chuck Nessa. Von sounded happy to hear Chuck's name and said he was a great guy.

It's four aisles to the right, 43rd row back.

2...4...6...8...10...12... ... ...

So, is anyone seeing Von Freeman tomorrow night? I'm hoping to go.

Braxton's one week from today. I'm planning to be there.

Thanks. Group hug? Don't think so.

It wouldn't be the same without them.

I saw Jarrett & Ornette concerts in the Verizon Hall and wasn't thrilled with the sound. The sound wasn't awful, but wasn't great -- the sound felt too far away and was didn't like how it was amplified.

I'm hoping to get there, but I'm not 100% yet. And, yeah, the tickets are pricey, but probably are bunch are sold through subscriptions. It's also in the smaller of the two main halls at the center (several hundred seats versus many hundreds), which has pretty good sound. (The larger hall may sound good for an orchestra, but stinks for an acoustic jazz group.)

Nope, it's tough for me to get out on a Monday night. Anyone see the Jarman?

Von Freeman Trio — Chicago tenor saxophonist Freeman is joined by special guest, drummer Mickey Roker — The Kimmel Center, Perelman Theater, Broad & Spruce Sts, Philadelphia Oct 29 (Sat) — 7:30 pm — $41/36

I plan to be at this one: International House Philadelphia and Ars Nova Workshop present: Friday, November 4, 2005 ANTHONY BRAXTON SEXTET with Anthony Braxton, reeds Taylor Ho Bynum, trumpet Jay Rozen, tuba Jessica Pavone, violin Chris Dahlgren, bass Aaron Siegel, drums Composer and saxophonist Anthony Braxton formed the Creative Construction Company (with violinist Leroy Jenkins and trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith) in the mid-60s before recording the seminal For Alto (Delmark Records), the first-ever recording for solo saxophone. Subsequent collaborations included ‘Circle’ with Chick Corea and Dave Holland, Italian free improvisation group Musica Elettronica Viva, and in duo with guitarist Derek Bailey, drummer Max Roach, and pianist Hank Jones. His quartet with pianist Marilyn Crispell, bassist Mark Dresser, and drummer Gerry Hemingway during the 80s and 90s is often considered Braxton’s most remarkable ensemble. His three decades of recordings is kaleidoscopic and prolific, and has been met with critical praise including prestigious awards. Braxton is a recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship and a tenured professor at Wesleyan University. Purchase tickets today: http://ticketweb.com/user/?region=xxx&quer...etweb&newhps=1& search=anthony+braxton International House, 3701 Chestnut Street | Philadelphia